The Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) was created to spur targeted transformational economic development in the Finger Lakes, Central New York, and Southern Tier regions of New York, with each region being awarded $500 million in state funding to achieve that goal.  

Examples of New York’s successful URI approach include:  

• Central NY - The Upstate Revitalization Initiative is helping to cement the establishment of uncrewed systems industry in Central New York. Additionally, the URI supported CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub - the largest business incubator in New York. The brand new, expanded facility features a hardware center, makerspace, uncrewed systems testing deck and much more. Program benefits also include access to experts and other founders specific to their industry, executive advisors, marketing and fundraising support, industry-focused events, the opportunity to apply for the UAS Job Fund, as well as access to platforms such as PitchBook, and offer companies AWS credits.

• Finger Lakes - The Upstate Revitalization Initiative supported the establishment of AIM Photonics Test, Assembly and Packaging (TAP) facility in Rochester’s Eastman Business Park. MCC’s downtown campus is also home to the URI supported Finger Lakes Workforce Development (FWD) Center, which is focused on short-term and accelerated, technology-oriented training programs that place individuals in high-demand jobs within advanced manufacturing, information technology, skilled trades, apprenticeship-related instruction and professional services.

• Southern Tier - The Upstate Revitalization Initiative, supported construction and renovation, and installation of crucial machinery and equipment at the company’s Hornell facility. That support facilitated the retention of more than 1,000 existing positions in Hornell and at other Alstom operations in New York. The State’s support for the project was also a crucial factor in Alstom’s efforts to secure a contract with Amtrak in support of its high-speed train initiative.  It also is facilitating investments in the next-generation battery industry in the region and allowed Binghamton University to complete its Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City.

The regions were selected based on the quality and appropriateness of targeted revitalization plans as designed by Regional Economic Development Councils and submitted through the consolidated funding application process. The chosen regions submitted plans that were data-driven, showed job creation opportunities, documenting potentially significant non-state government investment, and demonstrated how the plan would support transformative economic growth within the region. Upstate Revitalization Initiative funds are managed by Empire State Development. Awards made from other loan programs, such as those managed by the Environmental Facilities Corporation or the Department of Transportation, are administered separately from URI. For additional information about the Regional Economic Development Council process visit: regionalcouncils.ny.gov. 

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